Real Estate & Land Use

Overview

Dickinson's Des Moines, Iowa-based real estate and property law attorneys have extensive experience in land use law, bringing a vast array of resources to bear on clients' real estate and land use needs. The firm handles matters ranging from transactions such as commercial asset disposition and property acquisitions to real estate based litigation. Our clients include commercial and residential real estate developers, banks, insurance companies, mortgage companies, title companies, individual and commercial borrowers, landlords and tenants. Specific areas in which our real estate and land use attorneys assist clients include:

Abstract examinations, title opinions, title guaranty policies and assistance in acquiring title insurance with appropriate endorsements
Commercial property acquisition and disposition
Commercial leasing
Land development and land use issues
Real estate based financing and documentation
Construction contracts and related issues
Residential closings
Landlord and tenant rights
Assessment/valuation appeals
Broker insurance defense litigation
Income producing property issues
Management agreements and related issues
Workout agreements, foreclosures and creditor rights
Tax credits and subsidized housing programs
Sale/leasebacks
Intercreditor agreements, loan participation and subordination
Defeasance transactions
Tax deferred exchanges
Tenant-in-common agreements
Partnership, joint venture and limited liability company structuring and negotiations
Real Estate Syndication;
Zoning, use variances, subdivision planning
Chapter 558A claims concerning disclosure of defects
Restrictive covenants enforcement
Defense and prosecution of defective construction and warranty claims
Breach of contract claims involving both sellers and purchasers
Specific performance of real estate purchase agreements
Homeowner association representation, both transactional and litigation
Real estate broker/salesperson liability claims

In addition to legal real estate and land use services, the firm's attorneys provide clients many other property law legal services relating to all types of real estate, including shopping malls, strip centers, free standing buildings, office buildings, and land zoned for commercial, industrial and agricultural purposes.

Representative Real Estate Matters

Often provide legal defense services for real estate brokers and agents in courts and in regulatory compliance hearings, and for home builders regarding alleged defective construction and warranty claims. Also frequently provide legal defense services in lawsuits involving specific performance of purchase agreements.
Regularly handle significant real estate assessment cases involving large developments such as shopping malls and retirement centers.
Regularly handle real estate acquisitions that involve sophisticated issues including loan defeasance, Freddie Mac financing, and Iowa Finance Authority Financing.
Regularly assist in obtaining mechanic’s liens and in foreclosing mechanic’s liens for contractors and subcontractors.
Advised grocery store chain in connection with redevelopment of entire city block with new supermarket, bank facility and convenience store, including development rezoning and financing of same.
Assisted in sale of 120-site mobile home park.
Assisted in foreclosure of mortgage on partially-completed townhome development project; negotiated agreement for completion of project with local developer.
Acted as local counsel for an international financial services provider in connection with the refinancing of a loan for approximately $273 million that was secured, in part, by real estate located in Iowa.
Acted as local counsel for an international financial services company on real estate issues in connection with the refinancing of the indebtedness of an Iowa ethanol plant emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Defended tenant-in-common (“TIC”) defendants in two real estate foreclosure actions against hotel properties.
Regularly represent Fannie Mae in large, multi-family dwelling foreclosures.
Represented manufacturer in dispute with local municipality regarding the method of assessment used by the municipality to assess improvements to an arterial road adjacent to client’s property.
Represented a local bank in a commercial foreclosure matter making novel arguments under the Iowa Code.
Representing retail grocery store chain in the sale leaseback of five separate supermarket facilities.
Represented lender in connection with $14.6 million revolving line of credit used to finance costs of bringing at least seven separate real estate developments to market.
Represented client in sale of Iowa convenience store chain to Casey’s General Stores.
Represented lender in connection with negotiation and documentation of sale of a $30 million construction loan for a downtown office building and a $2.776 million tenant improvement loan.
Negotiated agreements for joint venture in acquiring 22 petroleum/convenience stores in Missouri and Arkansas.
Represented client in the acquisition, rezoning and redevelopment of a new convenience store site in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Real Estate & Land Use

Will I be eligible for exemption from Iowa capital gains tax if I sell my real estate business?

Iowa law provides, for residents who meet certain criteria relating to involvement in management and holding periods, an exemption from Iowa capital gain taxes.

What are my options for avoiding gain recognition on the sale of my real estate?

In addition to the possibility of selecting the year in which gain is recognized as well as other options, the deferral of gain through a 1031 exchange can provide a planning option when certain requirements are met.

Will my property taxes decrease if I successfully appeal my real estate assessment?

Although an assessment is lowered, the actual cash savings in the form of reduced property taxes will depend upon the final tax rate employed by the applicable taxing body.